The Supremacy of Christ

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.
(Colossians 1:15-20 ESV)

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Samuel! Samuel!

Reading the Bible daily has become a rarity as of late, and I treasure the days the Spirit helps me in opening up the Word of God. Today was one of those days. I understand the importance of daily reading, for it is that daily devotion that has given me strength, wisdom, joy, and peace these last seven, but this year has become somewhat of a year of trial for me. I praise God for His amazing grace, saving me from eternal damnation and sustaining me daily with His endless mercies and boundless love.

I opened up my Essential Evangelical Parallel Bible, which is a valuable Bible to own, containing two literal translations, the New King James Version and English Standard Version, and two dynamic translations, the New Living Translation and The Message. After straightening a creased first page, I grabbed a chunk of pages and landed on 1 Samuel 3. The heading read, "The LORD Calls Samuel". I read the first verse. "Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision." How the LORD speaks! Here I was, struggling to study the Word like I did in past years, desiring to see a vision from God, desiring to be in the Spirit, and instead, given many days of desert-like experiences. Then, the Spirit of God illuminates my heart, saying, "You are not alone, there are others that have gone before you, experiencing for many years the same desert-like experiences." Reading the rest of the chapter, I picked out the following significant ideas:
  • It is the LORD who calls us to service.
  • Listen carefully because He may be calling you. When He does, He calls you out by name, designed specifically for His purpose.
  • We may not discern the voice of God the first time, but always anticipate that He will speak again.
  • God often speaks in the quiet of the night, in times of solitude.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off. (Psalm 37:7, 34)
Posted by Michael Chen at 8:20 PM
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